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Monday, May 23, 2016

The 'Paul Revere of Preservation' system

There was a meeting last week at City Hall which had an issue on the agenda regarding a house in the Grove which may be slated for historic designation and this is the plan of action for many of the old houses in the village, but only two people showed up who spoke on behalf of the house. It could be because there is never a set schedule for the agenda items at City Commission meetings.

I believe this was first advertised to locals at starting at 9 am, but that is the time the Commission starts, not so much the agenda item. The item was slated for a 2 pm hearing, but that ended up being at 7:30 pm. Is it any wonder people don't participate? Who has all day to sit and wait for an item to be called? There is talk now of starting some sort of "Paul Revere of Preservation" action that will get the word out to people who can attend when they are free. It's a call to action at a certain time of day or night when people can show up at City Hall and stand up for the cause of preserving history. If people were made aware of certain items happening at certain times, they could be part of the fight. If people for instance were alerted at 6 or 6:30 pm, that the agenda item was being heard at 7:30 pm, then whomever is free at that time can rush over to fight for the cause. Being told that an agenda item is at 2 pm and then sitting there for hours on end is not working now.

Anyone have an idea of how this can be accomplished? I like to think the Grapevine can be of help, but people see the alert on time if we post it? It needs to be more of a signal, almost like a mass text, but not in an annoying way. Is there a way to build an app for this? People sign up and then receive an Amber Alert-type alarm?

The Paul Revere system sort of calls for someone with a bullhorn driving around the Grove announcing the meeting time as it comes up on the agenda.

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6 Comments:

Anonymous said...

It is ludicrous to think that residents must constantly make an effort to stand up to developers and our very own P & Z Office and Commissioners. It should not be required that we have to be aware, show concern, attend meetings, arrange petitions, do battle over protecting our neighborhoods, fighting on behalf of our trees and attempt to save our uniqueness by preserving historically significant architecture. It is the fundamental purpose of our zoning codes and laws that they protect our community as a whole. It is the responsibility of our government to assure us that this is accomplished.

Wearing rose colored glasses, i.e., wishful improbable quixotic thinking doesn't get results, the deck is stacked here by the procedure(s) you refer to, it's just the human nature aspect of it all, worldwide. And it's human nature not to get involved even if what's wrong is happening next door. Who really, really gives a damn if homes are bigger, taller, painted pink & purple or designated historic or not, and the proof of that is in your blog? People are so engaged with their lives no one is willing to give up their day to address this reality in the Grove; and rightfully so.

They are doing the same thing with us we have a hearing before the PZAB for our appeal of a waiver at 4197 Braganza. This may result in subdividing a lot into multiple building sites leaving no room for canopy trees to exist there ever again. The time and place are the same as the EAR workshop. Will we go first or after the workshop, I was told the workshop had been cancelled when I filed the Appeal on Thursday. We would like to have the supporters of Savethe grove16 and other concerned citizens be able to voice their opposition to the city's repeated violations of the NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT protective code. These lot subdivisions are not permitted under the code and they must be stopped to preserve the nature and character of the Grove.

Re:Rosecolored glasses. Its not so much about pink boxes, its about density and size of house on the lot. Canopy trees provide enough shade to allow underplantings to grow, people to go out of doors in daylight. A canopy tree requires space for its limbs & roots to grow and time for that growth to take place. Live Oaks are strong canopy trees, they provide great wind breaks & are long lived. The Grove has enjoyed having a canopy, people like the "Grove" characteristics of the neighborhood. Aerial views of the Grove reveal that the canopy there is significantly greater than in other areas not very distant. The Grove is an NCD, a Neighborhood Conservation District, meaning it's environment & history are protected by law, those laws need to be enforced. If lots get split to accommodate more houses per given lot size, there will be less space for canopy trees. Government is a participative process, but yes it is egregious that having codes enforced is so difficult for tax paying citizens. But giving up is not the solution.

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